I can understand this approach to a point ... the Falcons did give up 31 unanswered points after going up 28-3FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — After squandering a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons are shaking up their defensive staff.
The team said Wednesday that coach Dan Quinn has dismissed coordinator Richard Smith and defensive line coach Bryan Cox, though there's a chance Smith could stay with the Falcons in an advisory role.
The changes mean the NFC champions will have two new coordinators next season. Kyle Shanahan left to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and was replaced as offensive coordinator by Steve Sarkisian, who was in the same role with Alabama.
The Falcons' defense surrendered 31 unanswered points, including 19 in the fourth quarter, to allow the Patriots to complete the largest comeback in Super Bowl history for a 34-28 overtime win.
Smith, 61, had been Atlanta's defensive coordinator for the last two seasons. The Falcons ranked 25th in total defense this season, but the young unit showed signs of progress in playoff wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
but, the 4th quarter collapse was due to the offense failing and having the Atlanta defense on the field so much
seriously, if the Falcons had scored any points from that botched New England onside kick or again after a tremendous catch by Julio Jones had them in easy FG distance ... that was 2 field goals the Atlanta offense allowed themselves to be sacked out of, and just those 6 points would have likely clinched their win ... get those and there would have been no comeback ... not enough time ... and speaking of time, wtf was Shanahan thinking running a semi-hurry up while leading by 19 points? there was no running attack to speak of and Ryan was snapping the ball with almost 20 seconds left on the play clock play after play ... it was as if they were trying to make sure New England had as many opportunities as possible with time left
yes the Falcons defense was worn down by New England in crunch time ... but the Falcons offensive counterparts did more to help New England than their own defense
